Thanks you Bob.

I had come across an alternate name for Eustache (I don't remember form where at the moment) that referred to him as what I interpreted to be Justin, but which may be the Justice that you have (I guess that phonetically it might be construed as such to someone who is not familiar with French - I have no idea whether Eustache knew how to spell his name or speak much English.

In 1861 he would have been 15 years old. Is there any info as to birth date, birth location, parebnts and/or residency noted with the info you have? Would it have been common for males of that age to have enlisted at that time? do you also happen to know how enlistment proceeded at theat time when the potential enlistee was not born in America and may very well not have been a citizen of the USA? I have not yet found out when the family arrived in MN, nor whether they came directly from Quebec or first tried settling elsewhere.

You also mentioned a Justus Lemerce. Could this be the same person, or do you feel that it is a completely different person? The family name Lemers does exist and would phonetically sound like Lemerce which may actually be an alternate spelling for that name.

With regards to a brother named Louis, you have found a Charles L. Lemire. So far, in my research, I have not come across any individual with the name Charles, just one (possibly 2 different individuals) referred to simply as Louis. I don't know if Louis was only a commonly used name for them or whether it was their official name that would appear on a church record which is what I am often working from.

Is it possible for you to check if any of the following males might have enlisted as well, possibly at the saame time?

Eustache's father: Joseph Alexis Lemire, b. 1808
Eustache's uncle: Raphael Pascal Lemire, b. 1811
Eustache's brothers (as I have them listed):
Joseph Lemire, b. 1840
Jean (John) Theodore Lemire, b. 1842
Jean (John) Emmanuel Lemire, b. 1842
Olivier Lemire, b. 1849
Cleophas Lemire, b. 1853

Do you have any individuals listed under the family name Elemond/Emond/Haymond? This would be related to the family of Eustache's wife.

Finally, where is/was Fort Snelling located? I have traced the family to Rocky Run, MN (a Francophone community that once existed about 6 miles from Winsted, MN) adn my info indicates that Eustache Lemire married in Crow River, MN.

You can always reach me directly at M_V_P@hotmail.com

Thanks again.
Marcel